Archive of Our Own

You woke up to a finger being poked into your side. 
Groaning you batted it away. It didn’t stop. Blearily, you blinked your eyes. 
Hunter was looking at you with a mischievous smile, you opened your mouth, about to ask what he looked so smug for. 
Before he blew a gust of absolutely disgusting breath right into your face. 
‘ Blargh! ’ You exclaimed, jumping back. 
You landed on the floor with a thump.  From above you Hunter peaked his head over the edge of the bed and burst into laughter. 
‘ Asshole ’ you thought.
It didn’t stop you from smiling though. 
You climbed your way back up and blew a raspberry on his cheek. 
“Gross,” he said pushing you away, his cheeks and ears tinged pink. 
Yawning you stretched out and flopped back onto his bed. 
“It's too early” you whined, scrubbing at your eyes. 
“Get used to it,” he said smugly. 
He climbed over you and began getting dressed for the day. 
“Because  we  have a mission” 
You groaned. It had only been a day since the last one. 
“What’re we doing now?” you said. 
His expression faltered, his smile dropping. 
“Belos needs the tooth of a slither beast” 
You sat up with an incredulous look on your face. 
“What the hell does he need that for? Is this what all your missions are like?”
He shrugged, struggling to close the clip on his cloak. You stood up, making your way over to help him. Batting his hands away you clicked it on and rested your hands on his shoulders. 
“Not always, just the ones with you I guess” 
You hummed. 
“You know. I don’t think he likes me” you joked. 
Hunter didn’t laugh, instead, he looked away as his ears drooped. 
Sensing a change in the atmosphere you spoke up. 
“I’ll go get dressed, I’ll meet you when I’m done” 
He nodded solemnly, something you couldn’t know clouding his mind. 
Matias was wrapped around your upper arm as you walked to your room. 

-

When you reached the front of the castle the golden guard waved you over. 
He was dressed in a thicker coat and his mask was clipped to his belt. 
“Wheres the ship?” You asked as you jogged towards him. 
“We’re taking this today,” he said pointing at the white staff. 
He threw one leg over and beckoned you to do the same. 
Wrapping your arms around his waist you held on tight. His face coloured darkly as he took off. 
Although you had more or less moved into each other's rooms by now  and  shared a bed every night, it still made you flustered being so close to him in public. It seemed like he felt the same. 
“Did you bring Matias?” he asked quietly. 
You nodded against his back.  He hadn't brought his own palisman. 
As you got further away from the castle the colder it got, you found yourself pulling Hunter closer. He was just so warm. 

You landed a few yards away from the beast's cave as not to disturb it. 
“Promise me you won’t do anything stupid this time,” Hunter said crossing his arms. 
You looked at him with a blank expression.  He stared back pleadingly. 
“Fine” you sighed. 
“Thank you,” he said in a breathy voice. 
You started your course to the slither beasts cave. As Hunter walked gracefully beside you, you stumbled and struggled to keep pace with him. 
You gasped for breath as you trudged through the snow. 
Man, you hated this. 
“Could you  slow   down? ” you said, huffing between each word. 
“Grow longer legs,” he said nonchalantly, a smug grin on his face. 
As he turned his back on you, you piled up some snow and aimed it at his head. 
It hit him with a thump, you watched as the snow fell down his back. He squeaked in surprise. 
Watching him jump around attempting to rustle the snow out from his shirt you laughed hysterically. 
Once he had calmed down he turned to you, his face struggling to stay mad. You schooled your expression to an innocent one. 
“Fine, fine. I’ll slow down” he said smiling softly. 

When you finally reached the cave, both you and Hunter hid behind the large rocks that lay outside. Peeking his head over, Hunter searched for the beast. 
“Huh, I guess it's empty,” he said. 
Stepping out, you cautiously entered. There was no sign of the slither beast. 
“I’m going in,” you said distractedly as you dragged your hand over the sides of the cave. 
The cave looked lived in. It still had tracks leading in and out of it. 
You climbed up a ledge where three dark spots of mysterious dried sludge sat on the wall. It crumbled under your touch.  Hopping down you stood in the centre of all of it, you looked around the walls.  Although this animal could very well kill you, it still had a pretty cool hideout. 
Eventually, Hunter joined you. 
“It’ll be back,” you said. 
He nodded and kept looking around. 
Matias hissed in warning, you didn’t have time to turn around. 
Everything moved in slow motion as the slither beast rammed into your back. Your staff slipping from your hand and landing close to Hunter. 
From the corner of your eye, you saw Hunter reaching to you, your palisman pulling him back by the leg of his pants. 
‘ Good palisman, that boy has no survival instincts ’ you thought. 
When you hit the floor the world around got foggy. 
Vaguely you remember a large claw around you and something cold encasing your lower body. After that there was nothing, slowly your eyes drooped shut. 

“Hey” 
Something was tapping at your face. 
“Hey!” It said a little louder, this time warm hands encased your jaw. 
Groaning you opened your eyes, shutting them quickly as the light hit you.
“Hunter?” 
“Yes!” He said triumphantly. 
“I need you to wake up” 
You blinked at him blearily. Letting your eyes travel, you noticed the slither beast gnawing on Hunter's staff with its back turned to you.  How had that happened?
Hunter was tugging at the dark goo that had you strapped to the wall.  You noticed a bruise forming on his cheek. 
"Hunter!" you whispered angrily. 
What the fuck was he doing here? If the slither beast noticed him he'd be in a world of trouble. 
"Get out of here!" you said urgently. 
He slapped a hand over your mouth as the beast growled quietly. You both silently watched until it had settled back down. 
"Listen, I need my staff or I can't defeat it," He said. 
you shook your head, his hand muffling your words. 
"I'll throw something at it and then-"
You bit his finger. 
Ripping his hand away from you he shook it as he hissed in pain. 
"Did you just-  Did you just bite me ?" he said incredulously. 
"Just use my staff, you can't beat him with muscle," You said. 
He looked away from you, still holding his stinging hand. 
"It... doesn’t work like that," he said slowly. 
You were confused, of course, that's how it worked. Although he hadn't been bonded to your palisman your staff would still respond to him. 
That's just how magic worked.
"I'll be back," he said jumping down and hiding behind a mound of snow. 
" Hunter! wait for no " you called after him in a whisper. 
You watched as he picked up a handful of snow and balled it up. 
' Oh titan, he's going to get himself killed'  you thought. 
Slowly he edged around the snow and moved to stand in the mouth of the cave. He looked at you once before yelling. 
"Hey! Slither beast!" He screamed, throwing the ball of snow to its back. 
The beast stood up slowly, its head-turning to the commotion. Its mouth curled as it revealed rows of sharp teeth hiding behind its lips.  With a snarl, it bounded towards Hunter. 
You watched in terror as Hunter dodged out of its way and made a run for his staff. 
It could've worked. 
But with its giant paw the slither beast slammed Hunter into the walls of the cave, Hunter grunting as he held his side.  The slither beast drew its clawed paw back, ready to attack again. 
“Cast a sleeping spell!” You yelled. 
Hunter dodged the beast, running and rolling out of its way. 
“I can’t!” He yelled back. 
' What? '
The slither beast slammed its foot down on his back, sending Hunter sprawling.  He scrambled to get away from it as it advanced towards him. 
You strained against the beast's goo. 
With a yank you managed to get your hand out, you cast a fire spell to melt off the rest of it. 
With your body free, you charged towards them. 
The beast raised its paw, ready to attack again. Searching around you, you grabbed the nearest rock and pegged it at the beast. With a yelp, it turned to you. 
You leapt against the rocks in the cave, climbing to get higher than the beast. Jumping over it, you landed on its back taking two steps before you bounded off it, running to Hunter. 
His hair was dishevelled and he was covered in scratches. 
You slid to a stop in front of him, your cloak billowing behind you. 
The beast roared in anger, coming bounding towards you. 
With a spin, you cast a circle larger than yourself. You pushed it forward just as the beast neared you. It fell in a heap, snow spraying over both you and Hunter as it did. 
It lay snoring and immobilised in front of you. 
You dropped to your knees before Hunter, holding his face in your hands and checking his wounds. 
“I’m fine, really,” he said sounding dazed, a red flush on his cheeks. 
Ignoring him, you healed the wounds and wiped the blood away with your sleeve. 
“I didn’t know you could do that,” He said quietly. 
“Guess I never had much reason to” you shrugged. 
As he stood, he grabbed your hand and pulled you up. 
“We’ve just gotta get the tooth now,” you said. 
With a nod, he walked towards it. Following him, you held its mouth open as Hunter reached inside and pulled at its fang.  Once it was out, you healed the gaping hole it left behind. 
Placing the tooth in a bag, he strapped it to his belt. 
He left you standing next to the beast. 
You watched after him as he walked off, he seemed upset somehow. 

After retrieving both your staffs he handed yours to you.  You petted Matias's scaled head in comfort, she hissed happily. 
Worry lines crinkled his brow. 
Leaning over, you smoothed them out with your thumb. He didn’t even react. 
“Hey-“ you said, nudging his shoulder. 
“The day's almost over, why don’t we watch the sunset” 
“Yeah, okay,” he said sullenly. 
Taking his hand in yours and intertwining your fingers, you walked towards a clearing in the trees.  Dropping his hand you sat down and crossed your legs. 
He sat a few steps away from you.  Worry started to claw at your mind. 
Scooting closer to him, now shoulder to shoulder you smiled trying to catch his eye.  His ears remained downcast and his shoulders hunched. 
“You okay?” You asked quietly. 
“I didn’t know you could do that, I didn’t know you were so powerful” 
You looked at him with a confused expression. 
‘ Is he uncomfortable with my magic? ’ you thought. 
“Is this because my magic is still wild?” You said hesitantly. 
“Emperor Belos is taking it soon anyway-“ 
“No!” He interrupted, finally meeting your eye. 
He sighed as he slumped against you. 
“You were worried you weren’t good enough for me, but the truth is, I'm not good enough for you” 
He drew his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. 
“What? Of course you’re good enough-“ 
“No, I’m not” he bit. 
It was silent for a while as you tried to figure out how to respond. 
“The reason I couldn’t cast that spell-“ he started, giving up halfway through. 
He scrubbed his eyes and fell back against the snow. 
“I’m a powerless witch” he mumbled. 
“Most of my ancestors were, my staff wields artificial magic, I’m not a real witch” 
Realisation dawned on you as you stared at him.  Did he really feel inferior because he couldn’t produce his own magic?
“Of course you are!” You cried. 
“You’re the best witch I know” 
He peeked out from under his hands, looking to the side and then back again.
“Did you- did you not just hear what I said? I can’t use my own magic” 
You lay beside him looking up at the darkening sky. 
“So what? 
You’re brave, you’re strong and I admire everything about you” you said tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. 
“The reason I got hit that time we fought those bard witches was because I was so mesmerised watching you fight. You’re so strong and you don’t even know it” 
Your cheeks flushed as you finished, you felt way too hot under your coat.  Did you say too much?
“O-oh” he stuttered. 
Sitting up you leaned against each other as the sun set, a flush on both of your cheeks. 
Intertwining his fingers with yours he said quietly. 
“Thank you” 
Once the sky had darkened, with his hand still in yours he pulled you up. 
He hesitated, looking as if he was debating something, before pulling you into a quick hug. 
You smiled happily as you hugged him back. 
“Come on,” you said.
“Let's go home” 

-

He watched you wave goodbye as he entered Belos’s chambers. 
The doors shut with a bang. 
“The mission was a success then? Hunter,” Belos said, his raspy voice echoing. 
“Yes emperor Belos” 
Hunter pulled the bag that held the tooth, handing it to him.  He studied it carefully, running his gloved hand over it. 
“What about the girl?” he said.
Hunter flushed and fidgeted on the spot. 
“I sent her to her chambers” 
Belos hummed, staring at the fang with glowing eyes.  Standing up, he gazed at Hunter as he walked to him.  Stopping short before him he spoke. 
“She’s done well. Better than I expected” 
Hunter nodded. 
“She’s skilled, a valuable asset,” Hunter said, hoping Belos would agree. 
Placing his hand on Hunter's shoulder, Hunter's stomach dropped. 
“Don’t get attached,  nephew ” he said, squeezing his shoulder harshly. 
“Remember, she’s expendable. Just as all our guards are. She is no different” 
He dropped his hand to his side, Hunter wincing in pain. In its retreat, Belos left a dark patch of liquid in the form of a hand. 
“Yes sir,” He said quietly. 
Standing taller, Belos turned back to his throne. 
“Good night Hunter.” 
Taking his dismissal, Hunter exited the hall, making a beeline to your room. 

-

When he entered the shower was on and Matias was curled up in your cloak. She regarded him for a second before laying her head back down. 
He slumped back on your bed and waited. 
He was worried, Belos suspected something. If he found out how Hunter felt, how far would he go to stop it. 
Would he kill you? 
Hunter hoped not. Desperation and fear clutched his heart whenever he thought about it.  If it did come to Belos finding out, he hoped you would just be exiled.  Although he wouldn’t be able to see you anymore, at least you wouldn’t be dead. 
The bathroom door creaked open, steam pouring out as it did. 
Hunter shot up. 
He thought you were beautiful, cheeks flushing red as he looked at you.  You were dressed in loose pants and a dark singlet with the emperor's sigil.  
Squeaking in surprise you threw a hand to your chest. 
“Jeez Hunter, you scared the shit out of me” 
You flopped down beside him.  Wrinkling your nose you pushed him away. 
“You smell  so  bad,” 
“Take a shower,” you said pushing him towards the bathroom. 
“I don’t have any clothes,” He mumbled awkwardly. 
Grabbing your biggest pyjamas and a towel you thrust them to his arms, holding your nose as you did. He looked at the clothes, then at you. 
“Okay, you’re not  that  much taller than me” You muttered. 
He raised an eyebrow.  Crossing your arms you stood your ground. 
He fidgeted before pouting at you. 
You sighed, he was making this difficult. 
“If you want to stay here tonight then you’re showering” 
Backing down he grumbled as he closed the bathroom door. You waited until you heard the water turn on before heading to bed.  With a yawn, you climbed under your covers already drifting off to sleep.  Not long after you felt two arms wrap around you, lazily you turned your head and placed a kiss on what you hoped was his cheek. Burying your head in the crook of his neck you drifted off again completely unaware of the flustered flush on Hunters face.